Spreading tool



ySeptD 15, 1942. s. MANDL SPREADING TOOL Filed Jan. 18, 1940 BY l n Patented Sept. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPREADING TOOL Siegmund Mandi, Milwaukee county, Wis., as-

signor to Blackhawk Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 18, 1940, Serial No. 314,434

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in mechanisms for moving two bodies or parts of a body away from each other, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of tools especially adapted to spread distorted sheet metal elements such as damaged automobile fenders and bodies.

Generally defined, an object of my invention is to provide an improved spreader assembly which is simple in construction and eilicient in operation. l

In the art of repairing damaged automobiles and thelike, it frequently becomes desirable to quickly separate or spread parts which have become jammed against or distorted toward each other. While prying bars may in simple cases be used to advantage for such purposes, the use of these bars often causes greater damage to the parts due to breakage of parts resulting from improper application of the spreading force; and I have found that such further damage can in most cases be avoided or at least materially reduced, by -proper application of the spreading force to both of the jammed parts. 'I'hen too, the force applied with a prying bar is necessarily limited and relatively irregular, thus Inaking it impossible to secure the best results. Due to the fact that `considerable space is required to manipulate a crow bar or the like, it is in many instances impossible to properlyfapproach the work in order to most effectively apply the spreading force. The present spreading methods and implements are therefore relatively unsatisfactory for the performance of various kinds of jobs, and are moveover injurious to the work.

It is therefore a more specific object of the present invention to provide a new and useful spreading tool 'which is operable with great power and within `extremely limited space to quickly separate even the most stubborn parts with minimum danger of damaging the same.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved spreading implement which is readily attachable to and operable with the aid of a fluid pressure actuated jack such as a hydraulic ram, from a remote place if so desired.

A further specic object of my invention is to provide an improved spreader assembly which is durable in construction, and conveniently manipulable to exert uniform and exceedingly high pressure against the work, with minimum effort on the part of the operator.

Still another specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved spreader attachment for jacks or the like, which is flexible and safe in use, sturdy in structure, and which4 can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost.

These and other specific objects and advantages will be apparent from the following de-V tailed description.

A clear conception of one embodiment of Ymy invention, and of the mode of constructing and of manipulating a spreading tool built in accordance with the improvement, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a top View of one of `my improved spreading tools, showing the same applied toa fragment of a hydraulic ram; I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the spreading tool assembly of Fig. 1, showing the spreader jaws in closed or inactive position and also showing portions thereof in section;

Fig. 3 is another side elevation of the improved spreading assemblage, showing the jaws partially separated or spread; and

Fig. 4 is an end view of the improved spreading tool, looking toward the attaching orA supporting socket thereof. i

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being especially adapted for embodiment in a hydraulic jack actuated spreading implement for sheet metal parts, it is not the intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the `and being provided with four spaced ears 9;

a pair of similar spreader elements or jaws I0 swingably suspended from the ears 9 of the hub 6 by means of pivot pins II, and each having at one end an actuating projection or arm I2 cooperable with the adjacent end of a ram plunger I3, and also having a, work engaging portion or head I4 at its opposite swinging end; and a tension spring I5 which connects cross bars or pins I6 preferably formed integral with the medial portions of the jaws I0.

The supporting hub 6 and the ears 9 are preferably formed of a single durable piece of metal, and the end of the hub 6 remote from the socket threads 1, is provided with abutment surfaces II, withwhich lugs I8 formed on the jaws I 0 are cooperable to limit the spreading movement of the jaws. The jaws Il) are of interchangeably similar construction, and each of these jaws is likewise preferably formed of a single durable piece of metal and is provided with a lateral opening I9 within which the spring I5 is confined. rihe pivot pins II may be held in place by cotter pins 2) or the like; and upon removal of the retaining pins 20 and withdrawal of the pivot pins II, the entire assemblage may be quickly dismantled.

The uid pressure actuated jack or ram comprising the cylinder 8 and plunger I3 movable within and relative to the cylinder 8, may be hydraulically actuated, in any suitable manner and from a remote station if so desired. The ram plunger I3 has a flat end face 2l which coacts directly with the jaw arms I2 and the tension spring I5 constantly maintains the arms I2 in Contact with the surface 20 and closes the jaws I whenever the pressure on the plunger I3 is released.

During normal operation of the improved spreading tool, either a hydraulic or any other suitable type of jack may be applied to the internal screw thread l of the hub 6, the movable plunger I3 of the jack being adapted to engage the arms I2 of the jaws I0 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Before insertion of the jaws I0 between the parts which are tobe spread apart, the jack plunger I3 should be retracted suiciently to permit the tension spring I5 to close the jaws Ii), that is to bring these jaws into snug engagement with each other adjacent the heads I4 thereon. Thev arm heads Ill should then be inserted between the parts of the work which are to be separated, whereupon the jack or ram plunger I3 may be brought forwardly to separate the jaws I0 by virtue of the application of pressure against the jaw arms I2. This movement of the ram plunger I3 may be continued until the lugs I8 of the jaws Il] engage the abutments Il on the hub 6, whereby the swinging movement of the jaws I!) will be positively stopped. In order to remove the tool from the work, it is only necessary to retract the plunger I3, whereupon the spring I5 will again return the jaws I9 to inactive position, as in Fig. 2. It will thus be noted that the jaws I0 may be separated at a uniform rate of speed by merely moving the plunger I3 forwardly, and that these jaws will be returned to inactive position upon release of the plunger actuating pressure.

As previously indicated, any suitable type of jack may be utilized to actuate the improved tool, and while a hydraulic ram such as shown in the drawing is preferable, it is not a necessary part of the assemblage. The screw threaded socket in which the threads 'I are formed, provides simple means for detachably attaching the tool to a jack, and the tension spring I5 serves to quickly return the jaws I0 to inactive position. The heads I4 at the swinging ends of the jaws I may be of diverse shapes, but since these heads 'are subjected to considerable pressure, they should be sturdily constructed. The assemblage may obviously be readily assembled and dismantled by inserting or removing the pivot pins II, and the abutments I'I provide simple and effective means for preventing separation of the jaws IB beyond a predetermined limiting position. IThe entire assemblage is obviously extremely simple, compact, and durable in construction, and the spring I5 is at all times effectively concealed and protected against damage. The invention has proven highly successful in actual commercial use, and the improved assemblage can obviously be manufactured and sold at moderate cost and may be manipulated by a novice without danger of injury.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

l. A spreading tool comprising, a hub having one end associated directly with the cylinder oi a single acting hydraulic ram and being provided at its opposite end with integral ears disposed laterally of and extending along its axis, parallel pins mounted in said ears on opposite sides of said axis, a wedge shaped jaw directly pivotally suspended from each of said pins, each of said jaws having an integral actuating arm directly slidably engageable with the end of the ram plunger and extending inwardly from its suspension pin past the arm of the other jaw a considerable distance across said axis, and the extreme outer ends of said jaws being directly abuttable to prevent swinging of either jaw across said axis, and resilient means connecting said jaws and cooperating therewith to constantly urge said outer jaw ends toward each other and said arms toward said ram plunger end.

2. A spreading tool comprising, a hub having one end associated directly with the cylinder of a single acting hydraulic ram and being provided at its opposite end with integral ears extending away from the hub and along its axis, parallel fixed pins mounted in said ears on opposite sides of said axis and substantially within the hub width measured across the pins, a wedge shaped jaw directly pivotally suspended from each of said pins, each of said jaws having an integral actuating arm directly slidably engageable with the end of the ram plunger and extending inwardly from its suspension pin past the arm of the other jaw a considerable distance across said axis, and the extreme outer ends of said jaws being directly abuttable to prevent swinging of either jaw across said axis, resilient means connecting said jaws and cooperating therewith to constantly urge said outer jaw ends toward each other and said arms toward said ram plunger end, and cooperable abutments on said hub and the extreme inner ends of said jaws for positively stopping spreading motion of the jaws by said ram beyond predetermined limiting positions.

, jaw directly pivotally suspended at its medial portion from each of said pins, each of said jaws having an integral actuating arm directly slidably engageable with the end of the ram plunger and extending inwardly from its suspension pin past the arm of the other jaw a considerable distance across said axis, and the extreme outer ends of said jaws being directly abuttable to prevent swinging of either jaw across said axis, and a tension spring housed within and connecting said jaws and cooperating therewith to constantly urge said outer jaw ends toward each other and said arms toward said ram plunger end.

4. A spreading tool Comprising, a hub having one end internally screw threaded for attachment to the cylinder of a single acting hydraulic ram and being provided at its opposite end with integral ears extending away from the hub and along its axis, parallel fixed pins mounted in said ears on opposite sides of said axis and remote from said opposite hub end, a wedge shaped jaw directly pivotally suspended at its medial portion from each of said pins, each of said jaws having an integral actuating arm directly slidably engageable with the end of the ram plunger and extending inwardly from its suspension pin past the arm of the other jaw a considerable distance across said axis, and the extreme outer ends of said jaws being directly abuttable to p-revent swinging of either jaw across said axis, a tension spring housed within anid connecting said jaws and cooperating therewith to constantly urge said outer jaw ends toward each other and said arms toward said ram plunger end, and cooperable abutments formed directly on said hub and on the extreme inner ends of said jaws for positively stopping spreading motion of the jaws by said ram beyond predetermined limiting positions.

5. A spreading tool comprising, a hub having one end formed for attachment to the cylinder of a single acting hydraulic ram and being provided at its opposite end with laterally spaced pairs of integral ears extending away from the hub and along its axis, parallel transverse pins xedly mounted in each pair of said ears on opposite sides of said axis and remote from said opposite hub end, a wedge shaped jaw directly pivotally suspended at its thickened portion from each of said pins, each of said jaws having an integral actuating arm directly slidably engageable with the end of the ram plunger and extending inwardly from its thickened portion past the arm of the other jaw a considerable distance across said axis, and the extreme outer ends of said jaws being directly abuttable to prevent swinging thereof across said axis, and a tension spring connecting said jaws and cooperating therewith to constantly urge said outer jaw ends toward each other and said arms towards said ram plunger end.

6. A spreading tool comprising, a hub having one end formed for attachment to the cylinder of a single acting hydraulic ram and being provided at its opposite end with laterally spaced pairs of integral ears extending away from the hub and along its axis, parallel transverse pins iixedly mounted in each pair of said ears on opposite sides of said axis and remote from said opposite hub end, a wedge shaped jaw directly pivotally suspended at its thickened portion from each of said pins, each of said jaws having an integral actuating arm directly slidably engageable with the end of the ram plunger and extending inwardly from its thickened p portion past the arm of the other jaw a considerable distance across said axis, and the extreme outer ends of said jaws being directly abuttable to prevent swinging thereof across said axis, a tension spring connecting said jaws and cooperating therewith to constantly urge said outer jaw ends toward each other and said arms towards said ram plunger end, and cooperable abutments on said hub and on the extreme inner ends of said jaws for positively limiting the spreading motion of the jaws by said ram.

SIEGMUND MANDL. 

